Mayor of Ennis – The Clare Championhttps://clarechampion.ie
Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notesFri, 13 Jul 2018 11:55:52 +0000en-GB
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.1https://clarechampion.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/cropped-Clare-Champion-Phoenix-only-32x32.pngMayor of Ennis – The Clare Championhttps://clarechampion.ie
3232Ennis dive expert lauds Thai rescue as ‘amazing miracle’https://clarechampion.ie/ennis-dive-expert-lauds-thai-rescue-as-amazing-miracle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ennis-dive-expert-lauds-thai-rescue-as-amazing-miracle
Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:50:28 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=60466AN ENNIS cave-diving expert, who played a major role in rescuing 12 school boys trapped in a Thailand cave, has described the rescue operation as an “amazing miracle”. Jim Warny flew into Shannon Airport on a flight from Heathrow on Friday morning where he was greeted with a warm welcome from onlookers. Mr Warny’s exploits …

]]>AN ENNIS cave-diving expert, who played a major role in rescuing 12 school boys trapped in a Thailand cave, has described the rescue operation as an “amazing miracle”.

Jim Warny flew into Shannon Airport on a flight from Heathrow on Friday morning where he was greeted with a warm welcome from onlookers.

Mr Warny’s exploits has gained international media attention after reuniting the 12 school boys trapped in the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non caves in Thailand with their families.

Jim flew out last week to help in the massive rescue effort, which saw divers from all over the world get involved in rescuing the boys and their football coach from the caves in Thailand’s Chiang Rio province.
Originally from Belgium, he has been living in Ennis for more than a decade.

Shannon Airport visitors burst into applause when Jim came through the arrival’s area flanked by his father, Réne, his financée, Asia Mania and Brian McCoitir from the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation.

He was greeted by Mayor of Ennis, Claire Colleran-Molloy, who told the Clare Champion that the local authority will consider some form of official recognition for Jim’s heroic efforts.

Speaking to the media, Jim said he was very fortunate to be asked to help with the rescue as he is very friendly with some of the lead divers who were the first to make the trip to Thailand.
Having been tasked to participate in the rescue on Friday evening, Jim discussed the situation with his family and fiancée, Asia and flew out on Saturday morning.

Describing the rescue as a huge operation, he recalled it involved many teams from all over the world.

“The Thai people were heavily invested in this rescue and they are such a very friendly nation. It is a truly amazing miracle that through all the rescuerers coming together these boys got to go home to meet their families.
“It is bittersweet that one navy seal didn’t make it and I give my condolences to his family, friends and diving team.

Asked how difficult the conditions were in Thailand, Jim said the conditions were “pretty difficult” but luckily enough the rescue team were able to manage the risk and stress through the experience gained from their hobby and were able to perform what needed to be done during this major operation.

“I am very happy to be home back to Asia, his dad and all my friends. I can only imagine how worried they were and I was worried too. I am very fortunate to have been able to do this but the true heroes are the boys that endured way more danger than us.

He didn’t think his life was at risk at any stage as cave diving is something he does on a weekly basis.
“It is a highly dangerous activity but that is why we train. We are cave diving for so many years that is why we are able to manage the risk and the huge responsibility to bring these boys out, which was not an easy feat.

Asked about his emotions when he saw the first boys coming out of the cave, he said it was a huge feeling and noted the rescue was achieved by everyone in the team working away.

“There was a lot of happy faces around the building. We didn’t really expect that it would be such a good outcome. We were focused right until the end until the last boys were out of the cave and then everyone was very happy.

“Conditions inside the cave were harsh. Visibility in the water was quite bad. Parts of the cave weren’t flooded so we were walking, swimming and wading. It was a very dynamic environment to move through. That is why it required a lot of teams in the earlier sections of the cave. It required a large amount of people to hand over the boys.

“I knew the job I had to do and I focused on the task at hand. I was part of the English divers that went in and recovered the boys. I will reflect on further details as will all the team members,” he said.

He confirmed that he also carried some of the boys out to safety.

Jim works at Shannon-based Lufthansa and is a volunteer with the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), which has one of its two national bases in Doolin. Brian McCoitir of ICRO praised Jim for his efforts in Thailand, describing him as, “the right man in the right place”.
Belgian Ambassador to Ireland, Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw, has offered his congratulations to Jim for playing “a decisive role in saving the lives of the 12 boys and their coach in Thailand”.
The final four football players, along with their coach, were brought to safety on Tuesday, three days into the rescue operation. They joined the eight other members of the Wild Boars team in hospital, where they have been quarantined.
The boys and their 25-year-old coach were trapped for more than two weeks after going into a cave to explore when heavy rains began to trap them.
This international story has garnered huge media attention world-wide.
Councillor Colleran-Molloy, said it is “incredible” to have an Ennis resident with such great expertise, bravery and experience in cave diving.
She said she felt it was very important to be present to welcome Jim home to Clare as Mayor of Ennis.
“We are all delighted that this is such a good news story now that all the 12 boys are rescued. Jim is a very shy reserved man who probably doesn’t want this welcome but you can’t just be here to say ‘well done, we are so proud of you.

“It has been mooted in the council that an appropriate acknowledgement would be given, which will be discussed in September. It my be a civic or a mayoral reception to acknowledge someone who is a real hero on our own doorstep,” she said.

]]>Disagreement over Ennis off-licence planhttps://clarechampion.ie/disagreement-over-ennis-off-licence-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=disagreement-over-ennis-off-licence-plan
Fri, 13 Apr 2018 08:04:32 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=55299TWO former mayors of Ennis are at odds over plans for the development of a shop in the Turnpike area of the town. Planning permission has been granted by Clare County Council to Geltec Retail Limited for an off-licence to be installed at the shop formerly owned by the O’Dowd family. Former mayor of Ennis, …

]]>TWO former mayors of Ennis are at odds over plans for the development of a shop in the Turnpike area of the town.

Planning permission has been granted by Clare County Council to Geltec Retail Limited for an off-licence to be installed at the shop formerly owned by the O’Dowd family.

Former mayor of Ennis, Michael Guilfoyle objected to the plans to change the use of the existing convenience shop to include an off-licence of 22m2.

However, another former mayor, Councillor Pat Daly, has come out in support of the plans, which he has described as a “great boost for the Turnpike”.

Councillor Daly made representations to the county council in favour of the proposal during the planning process.

Speaking after the decision to grant permission, subject to five conditions, Councillor Daly stated, “I welcome the granting of planning permission. This will allow the shop to upgrade. The O’Dowd family had traded in this store for 40 years, offering a great service to the local community, and the new owners want to expand.
“They have to compete with other businesses in the town and, with 20 people working there, this upgrade will be of great benefit. In order to have a top class standard of shop you have to have all the goods that people want. Also, there are plans for a coffee deck, which I believe will be a great place for people from the Turnpike and throughout Ennis to meet.”

According to the developers, the plans will result in a “revamped neighbourhood store” for the locality.

The development includes minor alterations to the internal building layout to include provision of a customer seating area and changes to the north and west elevations.

However, Mr Guilfoyle, a former member of Ennis Town Council, who lives near the shop, stated in his objection that there is not enough vehicle parking outside the shop.

“Residents are being prevented from entering their property,” he outlined.

He said that a large number of young people from St Flannan’s use the shop every day. He warned that, while an ATM facility is welcome, “It will also bring its own dangers for staff and members of the public.”

He added that there is “extremely strong evidence of alcoholic drinking within the vicinity of this area. Illegal dumping of bottles and cans has increased in this area also.”

He pointed out that there are 12 off-licence businesses operating in Ennis at present. “I feel that there is no need in placing another off-licence in a high residential area such as ours.”

He continued, “I recognise that, although this shop holds a wine licence currently, this has not created added pressures on the area.”

Mr Guilfoyle concluded, “The Turnpike is a very old area, with a high percentage of elderly residents. Anti-social behaviour or possibility of such is not acceptable in the safeguarding of our neighbours and residents.”

However, according to APS Consulting on behalf of the developers, the proposed development does not generate a requirement for additional parking spaces.
“The applicant has operated a number of similar businesses throughout the country and has 25 years’ experience in the retail business. Throughout this time, they have been involved in the sale of age-related products, including alcohol.”

They point out that Geltec Ltd are members of Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland (RRAI) and commit to abide by the code of practice on the display and sale of alcohol products in mixed trading premises. This includes a commitment to staff training and insistence on the production of a proof-of-age for purchase of alcohol products.

The additional information to the planning authority continued, “A number of safeguards will be introduced to ensure alcohol products are sold in a responsible manner. All purchasers of alcohol, who appear to be under the age of 25, will be required to produce valid identification.

“The point of sale system is designed to remind staff of the requirement to ask for ID. Alcohol can only be sold by trained members of staff over the age of 18 years.

“The current situation in relation to the dumping of waste bottles and cans is unfortunate and deplorable. However, the minority’s disregard for litter laws should not mean the majority suffer, and they deserve to have a revamped neighbourhood store, providing a full range of services, without the need to travel.”

]]>Clare goes all out to celebrate St Patrick’s Dayhttps://clarechampion.ie/clare-goes-all-out-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clare-goes-all-out-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 14:37:53 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=54991Green is the colour throughout County Clare this weekend, as we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, St Patrick. A festival atmosphere is evident in town and village, with parades showcasing our traditions, culture and music, as well as everyday life in farming, business and industry. Of course, no parade would be complete …

]]>Green is the colour throughout County Clare this weekend, as we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, St Patrick. A festival atmosphere is evident in town and village, with parades showcasing our traditions, culture and music, as well as everyday life in farming, business and industry. Of course, no parade would be complete without colourful characters representing local, national and even international figures.

The county’s main parade in Ennis attracted a huge crowd, which stretched all along the route from Áras Contae an Chláir on New Road to O’Connell Street. Mayor of Ennis Paul Murphy and grand marshall John Burke, the Everest climb hero, led the parade in a horse drawn carriage.

]]>Everest hero to lead St Patrick’s Day paradehttps://clarechampion.ie/everest-hero-to-lead-st-patricks-day-parade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=everest-hero-to-lead-st-patricks-day-parade
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 10:09:09 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=54545John Burke, mountaineer and founder of the charity Elevate, has been named Grand Marshal of this year’s Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy today said that John is receiving the honour in recognition of his efforts to bring wellness programmes to young people in Clare, as well as his achievement …

]]>John Burke, mountaineer and founder of the charity Elevate, has been named Grand Marshal of this year’s Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade.

Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy today said that John is receiving the honour in recognition of his efforts to bring wellness programmes to young people in Clare, as well as his achievement of becoming the first Clare person to summit Mount Everest in 2017.

John will join Mayor Murphy in leading the parade in a horse-drawn carriage, which will be followed by approximately 50 groups representing the many aspects of life in Ennis and County Clare.

Mayor Murphy commented, “During my term as Mayor, I have committed to promoting positive mental health initiatives and individuals and groups who are working in the area. John through his own remarkable personal achievements and through Elevate is playing a key part in ensuring that the most vulnerable in society are protected and supported. That is why I am delighted he has accepted my invitation to be this year’s Grand Marshal.”

More than 10,000 people are expected to line the streets of the county capital on March 17 for the annual event. Among the international visitors to Ennis for this year’sarade is a group of musicians from Langenfeld, Ennis’ German twinning partner.

The theme of this year’s Parade is ‘Ennis – Ireland’s Friendliest Place’, which the local authority says provides participating groups, organisations, bands, schools and members of the public an opportunity to celebrate the recently awarded status.

There will be an overall prize of €400 for the group that best represents the parade theme while all parade participants will be included in an open draw for one of four prizes of €150 each.

]]>Witness to an Ennis tragedyhttps://clarechampion.ie/witness-to-an-ennis-tragedy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=witness-to-an-ennis-tragedy
Sat, 06 Jan 2018 10:25:13 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=54216AS a young man, John Bradley was at the scene of one the greatest tragedies to ever occur in Ennis, when eight people died after a hotel floor collapsed during a busy auction. Now, 60 years after the Carmody’s Hotel disaster, John will launch a new book, remembering those who lost their lives and also …

]]>AS a young man, John Bradley was at the scene of one the greatest tragedies to ever occur in Ennis, when eight people died after a hotel floor collapsed during a busy auction.

Now, 60 years after the Carmody’s Hotel disaster, John will launch a new book, remembering those who lost their lives and also those affected by the incident, which sent shockwaves across the country and the world.

Next Sunday, January 14, as part of Carmody’s Hotel commemoration ceremony, Clare Roots Society will be launching their first book of 2018, Carmody’s Hotel, Ennis. Mayor of Ennis, Paul Murphy will formally launch the book at 12.30pm at the parish centre at the rear of Ennis Cathedral. The launch will be preceded by a mass of remembrance for the eight people who lost their lives on January 15, 1958.

In this book, John has captured details of the Carmody tragedy, using newspaper reports and also through interviews with survivors and people associated with the event.

Researched and edited by John, the book recounts the owners, the guests and the history of what was ,for a century and a half, an iconic landmark in the town of Ennis.

John recalled, “It was a special day, a day that began with great excitement, expectation and promise. The street was busy, busier than usual. On one side, the Queen’s Hotel was catering for a double family wedding. On the other side of the street, people were gathering at Carmody’s Hotel, with a certain amount of nostalgia with the sale of artifacts associated with the hotel’s long history.

“The auction began at 2.30pm. Shortly afterward, tragedy struck, when the floor of the Sarsfield Room, where the auction was being held, gave way under the weight of people, furniture and other items to be offered for sale. After the dust settled, eight were found dead and 25 injured, 14 of whom were removed to the county hospital. News spread, with local, national, and international media descending on Ennis,” he said.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the then 17-year-old John stood on the gate pillar, overlooking the devastation. “Looking down on the catastrophe from my elevated position on the gate pillar, observing the pandemonium and consternation unfolding in front of me, I was powerless and bewildered as to the seriousness of the tragedy – eight dead and many others injured. The bodies of the dead and injured were taken by ambulance.”

But that was not all. A light aircraft, piloted by Captain Arthur C Morgan, resulted in him also losing his life. He was engaged to fly the pictures of the Ennis tragedy to Manchester. In a hurry, he failed to close one of the cockpit doors, resulting in the plane plunging into the Shannon Estuary.

Carmody’s Hotel was composed of two buildings. The main building was demolished after the disaster and the other is now YOLO Bar and Restaurant. On the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, Ennis Town Council unveiled a plaque on the gable wall of YOLO, listing the names of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

In the book, we learn of the history of Carmody’s Hotel, which dated back to 1804, under the ownership of the Carmody, Dillon, McKenna and Baily families. The hotel was frequented by many political leaders over the years, including Parnell and de Valera. Indeed, it is rumoured that Parnell met Kitty O’Shea for the first time in the hotel.

The Liberator, Daniel O’Connell, is reported to have stayed there on numerous occasions.

The book includes a collection of memories from those who survived. Michael Houlihan recalls “sliding down into the far corner of the room, with his entire body wedged, with his hands behind him and only his face above the debris and being unable to move in any direction”.

Frank Casey recalled grabbing his six-year-old daughter, Marion, and passing her to two men who were standing at the door. Other memories are from Detective Officer Thomas McCarrick, Michael Carr, Cyril de Courcy, Claire Higgins, Siney Honan, Nancy Murphy, Nora McNamara Healy, Martha Mathews, Michael Crimmins and Rita Flynn, John (Brudsy) O’Halloran, David Browne, Michael Tierney and Sean Spring.

The Daily Express reported on the double wedding taking place at the Queen’s Hotel across the street. Brothers William Joseph Corbett and James Corbett married Elizabeth Kelly and Mary Mulvihill a few hours previously and were later assisting the injured. Nurse Elizabeth Kelly was described as ‘The Angel of County Clare’.

Journalist John Howard recalled how, as a young reporter working for The Evening Herald, he discovered that when a big story broke, a well-oiled machine went into top gear at lightning speed. Ghislaine De Regge, daughter of Ernest, describes her arrival from Belgium to Ennis and subsequent return on the death of her father.

Gerry Quinn recalls his radio documentary, As If Night Fell, produced in 1998 about the calamitous disaster.

Also included is an interview by Tara King with Garda Kieran Crowe, who, just three months after qualifying as a garda, was not expecting to encounter a plane crash at Shannon, a sudden death in Abbey Street in Ennis and the collapse of the first floor of Carmody’s Hotel, all in the space of 24 hours.

John is not new to publication, having previously produced two other books in conjunction with Clare Roots Society – The Cathedral, which details the history of Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral, Ennis, and Drumcliff (Calvary Section), which contained a self- walking tour along with gravestone inscriptions.

An open invitation is extended to all to the mass of remembrance and the book launch and commemoration ceremony.

]]>Praise for ‘year round’ effort in Ennishttps://clarechampion.ie/praise-for-year-round-effort-in-ennis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=praise-for-year-round-effort-in-ennis
Thu, 04 Jan 2018 11:51:40 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=54209THE Mayor of Ennis said the announcement that the county capital is Ireland’s Cleanest Town is “testament to the year-round effort” by volunteers, Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, Clare County Council and the business community. Councillor Paul Murphy said, “Ennis is a vibrant tourism town and a popular shopping destination, which benefits greatly from the collective …

]]>THE Mayor of Ennis said the announcement that the county capital is Ireland’s Cleanest Town is “testament to the year-round effort” by volunteers, Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, Clare County Council and the business community.

Councillor Paul Murphy said, “Ennis is a vibrant tourism town and a popular shopping destination, which benefits greatly from the collective efforts of residents, visitors, the local authority, businesses and voluntary groups to keeping the streets and public spaces free of litter. The greatest example of this work was seen during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann when the streets were kept clean, as more than 400,000 people visited the town,” he said.

He added that the recent naming of Ennis as a Coach Friendly Destination and as winner of the Retail Excellence Ireland Friendliest Place Award is “a vote of confidence in the partnership approach adopted by Clare County Council, Ennis Chamber and the local community to developing and promoting the Clare county capital”.

Meanwhile Minister of State Pat Breen said, “It was a proud moment for me as a Clare man to hear our county town named as Ireland’s cleanest at the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) awards this morning. The town is looking magnificent and this IBAL award, following so closely on Ennis being named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town is a testament to the fact,” he said.

“I would like to pay tribute to local businesses, Ennis Tidy Towns and Clare County Council for working to achieve such a high standard of cleanliness in the town and surrounding areas. It is also a reflection of the pride the people of Ennis and, indeed Clare, have in their living environment.

“The effort the people and businesses of Ennis made in painting, cleaning and generally putting our best foot forward in the run-up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2016 and 2017 had a huge effect, not only on the success of the Fleadh, but also on this great result.”

Deputy Joe Carey has also praised those who helped bring the award to Ennis saying, “Congratulations to everybody involved – Ennis Tidy Towns, Clare County Council, the residents’ associations and business community – for their efforts over many, many years. This award is well deserved and it has been hard fought for”.

]]>Phoenix group visits Ennishttps://clarechampion.ie/phoenix-group-visits-ennis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=phoenix-group-visits-ennis
Wed, 14 Jun 2017 09:08:07 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=52223As part of the twinning relationship between Ennis and Phoenix, Arizona, the Mayor of Ennis and the chairperson of the Ennis Phoenix Twinning Committee met with visitors from Phoenix on their first visit to the county capital on Tuesday. Among the visitors was Susan Robbins, whose father, Phil was part of the original delegation to …

]]>As part of the twinning relationship between Ennis and Phoenix, Arizona, the Mayor of Ennis and the chairperson of the Ennis Phoenix Twinning Committee met with visitors from Phoenix on their first visit to the county capital on Tuesday.

Among the visitors was Susan Robbins, whose father, Phil was part of the original delegation to Ennis in 1988, when the twining arrangement with Phoenix was signed.

While in Clare this week, the American visitors took in a number of scenic locations and tourism attractions.

]]>A multi-cultural parade in Ennishttps://clarechampion.ie/a-multi-cultural-parade-in-ennis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-multi-cultural-parade-in-ennis
Tue, 14 Feb 2017 16:50:51 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=34913‘Ennis – A Multi Cultural Town’ is the theme of the 2017 Ennis St Patrick’s Day Parade which takes place on the feastday of our national saint. Among the international visitors lined up are a group of 50 from Langenfeld, Ennis’ German twinning partner, and a 100- strong Russian group. In excess of 10,000 people …

]]>‘Ennis – A Multi Cultural Town’ is the theme of the 2017 Ennis St Patrick’s Day Parade which takes place on the feastday of our national saint.

Among the international visitors lined up are a group of 50 from Langenfeld, Ennis’ German twinning partner, and a 100- strong Russian group.

In excess of 10,000 people lined the streets of the county capital during last year’s parade, which featured 50 groups representing the many aspects of life in Ennis and County Clare.

The theme for this year’s parade, according to the local authority, provides participating groups, organisations, bands, schools and individuals a broad scope within, which they can reflect the various cultures in their float or group activity.

There will be an overall prize for best group or float, while all parade participants will be included in an open draw for prizes.

Mayor of Ennis Ann Norton, said, “The parade offers an opportunity to the people of Ennis and Clare to celebrate our multicultural community and how all of our lives have been enriched by the contributions of people from differing backgrounds, cultures and traditions.”

]]>Turnpike service to remember Alihttps://clarechampion.ie/turnpike-service-to-remember-ali/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=turnpike-service-to-remember-ali
Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:26:49 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=31023A REMEMBRANCE service for the late Muhammad Ali will be held in his ancestral home of the Turnpike in Ennis this Friday. The service will be held on the green of the Turnpike, where just seven years ago the greatest boxer that ever lived stood and was welcomed by the people of Ennis to the town. …

]]>A REMEMBRANCE service for the late Muhammad Ali will be held in his ancestral home of the Turnpike in Ennis this Friday.

The service will be held on the green of the Turnpike, where just seven years ago the greatest boxer that ever lived stood and was welcomed by the people of Ennis to the town. It will take place at 7pm close to the Muhammad Ali monument, unveiled by the man himself in September 2009.

Muhammad Ali unveils a memorial stone in Ennis at Turnpike road, his ancestral home. Photograph by John Kelly.

Fr Ger Fitzgerald will conduct the service, which has been organised with the assistance of former councillors Frankie Neylon, mayor when Ali visited Ennis, and Michael Guilfoyle from the Turnpike.

Mr Guilfoyle explained, “We wanted to be able to do something to remember him here in the Turnpike and Ennis and Friday seemed like the ideal time, as it would coincide with the funeral. It will be an ecumenical service of remembrance, a celebration of his life.”

He added, “It was an amazing day, the day Muhammad Ali came to the Turnpike, and the fact that he came to visit his great grandfather’s birthplace is recognition that Ennis was part of his life and part of his family’s life. It was recognised by the people in the area in the support that they gave. The fact that we are doing something on Friday night shows that he is still a part of the area.”

As many as 10,000 people gathered in Ennis in 2009 for a chance to glimpse Ali when he visited.
Among the invited guests at the ceremony were representatives of families descended from Ali’s great-grandfather Abe Grady, Imelda O’Grady, Mary Grady Gormley and Mary O’Donovan Kelly.

After the invitation-only ceremony, Ali was taken to the Turnpike, where he unveiled a specially commissioned sculpture before large crowds.

]]>Phoenix twinning group flying inhttps://clarechampion.ie/phoenix-twinning-group-flying-in/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=phoenix-twinning-group-flying-in
Thu, 09 Jun 2016 09:45:15 +0000http://newsclarechampion.flywheelsites.com/?p=31013Four young people from Phoenix will arrive in Ennis on Monday next as part of a three-week long exchange, a centrepiece of the long-standing twinning relationship between the Clare County and Arizona State capitals. The new Mayor of Ennis, Ann Norton, will perform one of her first official functions at the Rowan Tree Café on Tuesday at …

]]>Four young people from Phoenix will arrive in Ennis on Monday next as part of a three-week long exchange, a centrepiece of the long-standing twinning relationship between the Clare County and Arizona State capitals.

The new Mayor of Ennis, Ann Norton, will perform one of her first official functions at the Rowan Tree Café on Tuesday at 12.30pm when she hosts a lunch for eight Ennis Phoenix Youth Ambassadors for 2016, among them the recently arrived Phoenix contingent as well as four Ennis students due to depart for Arizona next month.

The Ennis Phoenix Twinning Committee, which is part-funded by Clare County Council, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.